Bully Prevention Coping Skill"Luck of the Irish"

Let a little "Irish Luck" and a lot of "Emotional Intelligence" help you deal with bullies, or mean teasers, in a proactive way! Below you will find the bullying prevention coping skill that I borrowed from an Irishwoman.

Then, click the link at the bottom of the page to read the social story about Lucky and the Lazy Leprechauns.

When I visited Ireland this summer I was amazed at how kind the people were that lived there. I had just traveled through two very large cities in the United States and had not felt the same kindness on my journey to Ireland.

On my last day of the trip I went to breakfast at the bed and breakfast I was staying in. I started chatting with a woman who owned the place. She was an Irishwoman who had lived in many parts of the world, yet had decided to return to Ireland to run the bed and breakfast.

We started to discuss how kind the Irish were to each other and to foreigners. She said something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Her comment was, “It does not cost anything extra to be nice to people.”

I found that remark so powerful and true! It can mean so much to people when you spend the time to just be a little nicer. It also does not cost you a dime to be nicer to people.

One of the things I have learned in brain science research is that you will be happier if you are nice to yourself and to others. Your brain releases positive chemicals, verses negative chemicals, when you do something kind or help someone.

If a bystander even watches you do it they get the same positive chemicals. So, you are healthier and those around you are healthier when you chose to be nice to people and animals.

After writing the story of Lucky and the Lazy Leprechauns I wanted to use this remark from the kind Irishwoman I met. I wrote the story about Lucky based on my trip to this beautiful emerald island. I find it appropriate that the bullying prevention coping skill matched the story.

I came from a very large city to live in a tiny town in the Appalachian Mountains. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the people who live here are also very kind, hospitable, and sincere. It makes my job so much easier when I work with kind and loving people

But, nothing is ever perfect and every now and then I come
across a sad and unhappy person. I
actually used this bullying prevention coping skill a time or two, and it
stopped the person right away.

It lets the person who was being mean know that I
will not put up with someone speaking to me in a mean and hateful way. You are actually saying, "Don't bring that bullying over here to me! Take it somewhere else!"

Try using this bullying prevention coping skill yourself. Practice in front of the mirror several times before using it on a bully, or mean teaser.

Directions:

Stand up straight.

Look the bully or mean teaser in the eye.

Say firmly, “It does not cost anything extra to
be nice.”

Turn and walk away.

Again, if you are being hit, threatened, or hurt physically
you need to tell someone immediately. If that person does not help you, then
keep telling someone until they listen.

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.

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